Challenge Update 26th Jan

Challenge Update 26th Jan

Had a number of attempts at this, my first idea was to capture a cup of tea being made, and the result is pretty close to what I had visualised in my head which is a first and a good feeling.

Tying to take pictures of ice and water was not as successful and didn't come close to how I was visualising the affect. Will probably come back to this. Seen some nice images of ice dropped into water that I want to emulate.

THIS COMING WEEK'S CHALLENGE

Need to produce an image that interprets the title 'Egg'. Going to look at some food projects using eggs such as poached egg on toast, egg and soldiers etc before moving on to breaking an egg and trying to capture the moment is broken. If I can think of how to do it in a clean issue way I might even drop an egg or two.

NEXT CHALLENGES

Looking at what to do and how to do it for the next challenges.

Egg (Target date - Sun 2nd Feb)

Whether a food project or a work of art – want the best photo of an egg! Expecting to get through a lot of eggs, but have a busy week

Rule of thirds (Target date - Sun 9th Feb)

Demonstrate the rule of thirds.in a photography. Will try and find an image that fits the rule of thirds and demonstrates the rule clearly. Also might be humorous and photography a rule in three parts.

Black & White (Target date - Sun 16th Feb)

A black and white image of any subject, as I normally shoot RAW I will probably convert an image in Lightroom. Although will try setting the camera to B&W and see if that makes a difference to the final image. Going to be looking for images that either have a lot of texture so the conversions pulls the texture out or where B&W / Monochrome will create a suitable mood for the image.

Week 4 Challenge Completed

Water in Action

This week's challenge was as water moves, boils, steams, freezes etc to produce a picture that interpret ‘Water in Action’.

Pouring Tea

Tried to capture the dynamic part of water in action in this image showing boiling water being poured to make a cup of teat with the steam swirling as it rises from the hot water.

Alternate images

Challenge update 19th Jan

Challenge update 19th Jan

The most fun challenge so far was the lighted match, had three sessions attempting to get a good picture and took nearly 1,300 images. Using the Olympus on silent high speed sequence can get as high as 60fps. Not sure how many fps I got in the setup I was using but it was impressive.

For the shots I took I used a plamp to hold the match, a couple of LED lights to try and illuminate the match stick and lit the match using a second match or a taper. Best images were using f/8 and 1/2000 of second for the exposure and an ISO of 400

For the final part of the third session I used a Godox AD200 flash with the X1 trigger for the Micro Four Thirds camera to capture the smoke from the matches using single shot mode.

Follow on

I will be coming back to this topic and looking at capturing smoke later in the year as a separate project. Definitely going to try and capture smoke using flash and coloured gels. Would also like to try get a picture of a match been struck on the side of a match box.

This coming week's challenge

Trying to interpret 'Water in Action' keeping in mind the different states of water - ice, water, steam. Going to be looking at ice cubes, pouring of boiling water in addition to other ideas.

Next challenges

Looking at what to do and how to do it for the next challenges.

Water (Target date - Sun 26th Jan)

Water moves, boils, steams, freezes… in your picture interpret ‘Water in Action’.

Egg (Target date - Sun 2nd Feb)

Whether a food project or a work of art – we want the best photo of an egg!

Rule of thirds (Target date - Sun 9th Feb)

Demonstrate the rule of thirds.in a photography

Week 3 challenge completed

Lighted match

This challenge has been the most fun one since I started but it is only the 3rd one in of the series of 52 challenges. This challenge was to take a picture of a lighted match.

This to me shows the dynamism of a match igniting with parts of the match head burnt and the other parts waiting to ignite.


Alternate images

Match Lighting (video)

Match Lighting Video

First attempt at photographing a match lighting for the photo challenge.

Converted the high speed burst capture into a short movie clip

Challenge update 12th Jan

Challenge update 12th Jan

Completed 2 of the 52 weekly challenges and so far not too many problems. Felt slight uncomfortable doing the selfie as I don't like the way I look in pictures. The Macro challenger was more of question finding time and subjects during the working week rather than actually doing the picture.

For the macro picture I tried a mix of single images with in-camera focus stacking to get a greater depth of field in the image. The Olympus camera has a great bracketing function that does this, you select a focus point at roughly a third of the depth of field you want and then after selecting the number of images to be stacked (up to 15) and the amount of movement of the focus between them the camera will take a couple of images with the focus point in front of the original and the rest of the images with focus points behind the original point and then stack them as .JPG in the camera. All images are available in RAW format if you want to stack them in software.

I also experimented with using a Godex AD200 flash unit with a wireless controller (X1TO); flash is another one of those areas I want to improve on as well as lighting subjects for still life's.

Although the challenges are weekly and I want to do an image per week, some of the challenges are going to require me to be a bit speculative and take images when I seen them and not necessarily in the week of the challenge.

Next challenges

Looking at what to do and how to do it for the next challenges.

Matches (Target date - Sun 19th Jan)

Looking in how to photography matches been struck and burning. Lighting a match has drama; ignition, flare and the settle. Capture this and publish the best photo.

Water (Target date - Sun 26th Jan)

Water moves, boils, steams, freezes… in your picture interpret ‘Water in Action’.

Egg (Target date - Sun 2nd Feb)

Whether a food project or a work of art – we want the best photo of an egg!

Week 2 Challenge completed

Week 2 Challenge completed

The second weekly challenge was to do some macro photography. To take a picture of a small object as close as you can and fill the frame so it looks massive.

I took a number of images but feel this one best meets the criteria of the challenge, a close-up of the humble zip. It fills the frame to look massive.

Alternate images

Fob Watch

Close up 

Watch mechanism

Time steps by

Thistle close-up

Thistle

Focus stacked image

Dead rose

Focus stacked dead rose

Close-up of a zip

Challange update 5th Jan

Challenge update 5th Jan 

Completed the first challenge, not the best picture but I don't do selfies or take portraits. Not sure I displayed a strong emotion, I don't have any acting inclination and dislike having my picture taken.

Feel there is plenty of improvement that could be made for the week 52 activity where the image is repeated, hopefully with more skill.

Next challenges

Looking at what to do and how to do it for the next challenges.

Macro challenge

I do a lot of macro work so looking for an interesting shot that I can in camera focus stacking on.

Matches

Looking in how to photography matches been struck and burning.

Week 1 Challenge Complete

Week 1 Challenge Complete

The first week of the challenge was to tale a selfie showing a strong emotion.

I'm never comfortable with being the subject of an image and never doing do selfies. Also not good at showing emotions so this challenge was never going to produce a winning picture.

Tried to capture an image that shows some emotion along the lines of annoyance or surprise. However that didn't come across. Finally selected the image above as the best of a weird bunch.

Alternate images

Normal look

Bored

Happy

Thoughtful

Amused

Annoyed

52 Week Photography Challenge

The challenge has been borrowed from another photography club but I'm using it to improve my photography this year. Hopefully over the course of the year there will be an improvement in my photography skills with the final challenge being to repeat the first and show the improvement.

Week	Weekly challenge	Details
1	A Selfie with attitude!	Take a selfie of yourself showing a strong emotion. Advanced: Take your selfie in silhouette – but we still need to know it’s you!
2	Tiny (Macro).	Take a picture of a small object as close as you can and fill the frame so it looks massive. Advanced: The ability to capture the finest detail is essential in your photo.
3	Lighted match.	Lighting a match has drama; ignition, flare and the settle. Capture this and publish your best photo. Advanced: Three photos capturing each dramatic point.
4	Water.	Water moves, boils, steams, freezes… in your picture interpret ‘Water in Action’. Advanced: Two photos that represent different ‘states’ of water.
5	An egg.	Whether a food project or a work of art – we want your best photo of an egg! Advanced: Show some movement in your egg photo.
6	Rule of thirds	Learn and then demonstrate in a photograph the rule of thirds. Advanced: Your photo should use the rule to build drama and interest.
7	Black & white.	Black & white week. If you can, turn your camera to black and white only this week. Anything goes! Advanced: Your shot should show high contrast.
8	Eye.	Focus on the eye or eyes – show us what you see! Advanced: We want to see detail and highlights!
9	Bubbles.	Bubbles. Pay attention to what you can see inside the bubbles. Advanced: Water bubbles may be a bit easier – so only lighter-than-air blown bubbles in your photo please!
10	Mirrors and reflections.	Mirrors and reflections. Be observant, notice and record something and its reflection. Advanced: What is real? What is reflection? Can you fool the viewer!?
11	Light bulb moment.	Light bulb moment. As a main subject, we want to see a light bulb in your photograph. Advanced: Go vintage! We want to see the light bulb filaments glowing.
12	Frame within a frame.	A compositional tool is to frame your subject using a frame within the image. Advanced: Use this technique to tell a story!
13	Portrait.	Portrait: Take a portrait shot – but tell a story with it too. Advanced: Try a faceless portrait.
14	Triptych.	Triptych: Show us three photos of the same scene. One to set the scene. One as the main subject. And one to highlight something we may have missed! Advanced: We want the three photos in the same frame.
15	Patterns.	Patterns. Find some interesting patterns in the local landscape or architecture. Advanced: Repeating patterns.
16	Panning.	Take a picture of a moving subject whilst moving the camera so that you blur the background to show movement. Shutter speed and handling your camera is crucial here. Advanced: Your subject should be crystal clear and your background a spectacular blur!
17	Abandoned.	The theme is abandoned. Your photo might depict something forgotten? Advanced: Convey a message in your photo – a call to action, perhaps.
18	Landscape.	Use a tripod (or another way to avoid camera shake) and correct aperture and settings to capture immaculate detail in a scene. Advanced: Same as above. But capture some movement in the composition..
19	One shot only!	You’ve got one shot only – no chances for a second shot! Think of this challenge when you next take a shot. Show us this, your first shot (even if you do sneak off a few more). Advanced: We mean it! Your first, one and only shot!
20	Leading lines.	‘Leading lines’ is composition technique where lines in your image lead the viewer’s eyes into the main subject of the photograph. Discover such lines in the natural environment or urban landscape. Advanced: Your lines should demonstrate how they add depth and perspective to an image.
21	SOOC.	Straight out of the camera (sooc). Take a great shot and publish straight from the camera. No editing allowed. Use RAW? Just auto convert to a simple JPEG. Advanced: Leave the sooc image alone! But tell us in the comments how you would improve it.
22	Levitation effect.	Very much a camera trick and editing illusion, but make us believe in levitation. Advanced: Think about props, accessories and expressions that will make us really believe that your subject is defying gravity!
23	Sugar and spice.	Artistic. Interpret how you like. Advanced: A still life.
24	Random bird.	Your challenge this week is to get a good picture of the first wild bird you see while out with your camera. See a wood pigeon? That’s your bird – go get the shot! Advanced: A bird in flight.
25	Make a splash.	Take a close up of a droplet splashing into water. It’s an old favourite photography project but lots to learn every time you do it. Advanced: Use liquids other than water!
26	Celebrate your personal learning!	We’re half-way through this challenge year. Make an image that shows us what you feel you have learned so far. Advanced: Use the photo only. Use no text to describe your photo. It should be obvious from the image what you are celebrating. You can answer questions in the comments.
27	Explosion of colour!	Your photo should assail the senses with vibrant colour. Any saturation of the colours in editing software should be avoided. Advanced: This is really advanced… depict a really colourful scene… in black & white!
28	A bug’s life.	Get in the garden and take a photograph a butterfly, insect or bug. Whether a close up, or you show its environment, it is up to you. Advanced: Try Macro or a moving/flying subject.
29	Candid camera!	Street Photography. Show us a slice of life in your neighbourhood, village,town or city centre. Advanced: Candid means candid – try not to get noticed!
30	Cool down.	A glass. Ice. A drink. Create an image that will cool us down on a hot summer’s day! Advanced: Ice creating a splash or a drink being poured into a glass offers such artistic scope, Explore and enjoy!
31	Wheels.	Whatever the vehicle or subject, capture the patterns and motions. Use different shutter speeds to blur or freeze the action. Advanced: Look for something different…
32	Startled portrait.	Take a portrait shot that captures an expression of alarm, surprise or concern. This challenge should bring out the Director in you. Advanced: Include a wider angle shot that shows the cause.
33	Stormy or sunny?	Whatever the weather, record its drama, mood and effects this week. Advanced: As an enthusiast, shoot your picture at the dawn or dusk.
34	Filters.	This is filter week. Whether it’s a coloured sweet wrapper over your lens, a big stopper or something else – use a new or borrowed filter to create effect. Advanced: Should still be a filter you have not used or seldom-used.
35	Mono flower.	Record the beauty of a flower in black and white. Advanced: Do it studio style, even if on your tabletop. Think about composition, lighting and sharp focus where it counts.
36	Faces in places.	Take a picture of something you discover that unintentionally resembles a face. No people allowed. Advanced: As above.
37	Make us laugh!	Capture or create a scene that depicts humour or one that will actually make us laugh! Advanced: You really need to make us laugh!
38	Bokeh.	Google ‘bokeh’. Create an image with shallow depth of field with beautiful bokeh. Advanced: Create shaped bokeh.
39	Toy Story!	Tell a story with toys or about toys. Advanced: Create a ’tilt-shift’ effect for that ‘toytown’ look.
40	Minimalist.	Keep things simple. Make an image where there is one strong element. Keep other components of the picture down to a minimum. Remember the saying ‘Less is more!’. Advanced: Be aware of other composition rules and the use of complementary tones/colours.
41	Isolate and blur.	Open up your aperture (low number, say F/2.8, F/4) to isolate your subject and create an attractive blur effect in the background. Advanced: Isolate and make your subject pop, yes!… but that ‘bokeh’ should be pretty dramatic too!
42	Decay.	Make an image that shows something coming to the end of its life. Advanced: Use texture to demonstrate the detail of the decay.
43	Red and/or orange.	Anything goes as long as it is red and/or orange! Advanced: Red AND orange, please.
44	Golden hour portrait.	The sun at sunrise or sunset makes a great backlight for a portrait. Use some fill-in flash. Advanced: Use three light sources for that perfect back-lit outside portrait.
45	Intentional camera movement.	Not an excuse for camera shake, but a deliberate movement to create an artistic effect. Advanced: Try an ICM and a double exposure to create a work of art!
46	Light in the night.	Night time photography with a tripod and very slow shutter speeds. Try light painting. Catching light trails from traffic. Creating ghostly effects. Advanced: Try creating light orbs.
47	Window.	Include a window in your photograph as a prominent feature that helps tell a story. Advanced: A ‘through the window’ scene, or reflection in the window? You decide how to convey the story.
48	Guess the film?	Create a scene and publish an image that depicts a film. Advanced: Film noir, low key image. The film should be easy to identify, perhaps with a few clues!
49	White.	Is it snowing or frosty yet? Whatever the weather your theme is white! Advanced: Time to create a ‘high-key’ image.
50	A pic of two halves.	Show us a photograph with half the image in monochrome and half in colour. Advanced: Diagonal to diagonal. Photo should depict ‘opposites’ or subjects or a theme of high contrast.
51	Seasonal Jolly Food.	This should be your best festive photograph of the week – with a food theme. Advanced: A Christmas still life.
52	Selfie update.	WEEK 52: How have you changed over the year since your ‘selfie’ in Week 1 of this challenge? Update or take a new ‘selfie’ in a way that reveals your photographic improvements 🙂